Bucket-dumping device for steam-shovels.



' Patented lung I7, |902. H. T. PORTER & G. H. BEAUMONT. BUCKET DUMPING `DEVICE FUR STEAM SHOVELS.

(No Model.)

{Applicaton tiled Feb. 5, 1902.\

2 Sheeis-Shee l.

(Application filed fob, 5. 1902.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY T. PORTER AND GEORGE H. BEAUMONT, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNORS OF ONE-THIRD TO WILLARD T. MOORE, OF CLEVELAND,

OHIO.

BUCKET-DUMPING DEVICE FOR STEAM-SHOVELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 702,473, dated June 17, 1902.

Application filed February 5, 1902. Serial No. 92,663. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, HARRY T. PORTER and GEORGE H. BEAUMONT, citizens of the United States, `and residents of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Bucket- Dumping Devices for Steam-Shovels, of which the following is a specication, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which we have contemplated applying that principle, so as todistinguish it from otherinventions.

Our invention relates to ,the dipper-discharging means ofisteam-shovels or similar machines, in which a dipper mounted upon a movable armis employed and which embodies tripping mechanism for controlling the operation of .discharging the contents of the dipper. Heretofore in machines of this character two operators have been necessary, the one for controlling the movements of the dipper-arm and the other for eectin g the operation of the tripping mechanism for controlling the discharging operation. For this purpose a line has been attached to the tripping mechanism, one end of which was held by the dumping operator, who when the dipper reached a location above the point at which it was desired to` discharge the dippers contents pulled the line, and so effected the disi charge. The tripping mechanism is of necessity of acharacter such as to prevent premature discharge, and in order to fultilthis requirement the parts are so arranged as to require a very considerable pull upon the line to effect the actuation of such mechanism and the consequent discharge or dumping operation. The great amount of effort required has hence made it unfeasible for the operator controlling the movements of the dipperarm to also discharge or dump the contents of theidipper and effect the most economical operation of the machine. Such operation of the dipper-arm involves the manipulation of three or four levers, so that the operator who would be required to also discharge would after having brought the dipper to the proper point be obliged to bring it to a dead stop for the period which he would require to grasp and pull the tripping-line. It has hence been found more expedient and economical to employ two operators, as above mentioned. The construction necessitated by the conditions surrounding the use ofithese machines has further madeit necessary and advisable to place one operator upon one side of the machine and the other upon the other side, so as not to interfere with each others operation, in which position communication or signaling between the two has been dicult or entirely impossible. The two operators were hence entirely independent of one another and neither could haveany direct knowledge of the intentions or operations of the other. It hence frequently occurs that the dumping operation is caused to take place either prematurely or too late, thereby depositing the contents of the bucket in undesirable places. In the case of loading cars with ore from piles this lack'of coordination between the two operatorsresults in the spilling of large quantities of ore alongside the track, all of which must be subsequently removed by hand, returned to the pile, and handled again. Where severalshov'els are at work simultaneously, the spillinginvolves the expenditure of a large amount of labor and consequently of expense.

The object of our invention is to obtain a perfect coordination in eecting these two operations, and this we eect by providing means wherebyone operator can effect both.

Said invention consists of means hereinafter fully described,and specifically set forth in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings, Figure I represents a side elevation of one type of steamshovei at present employed, showing a device embodying our invention applied thereto. Fig. II represents an enlarged detail elevation of the shovel or dipper-arm, showing said invention applied thereto. Figs. III and IV represent a cross-sectional and plan View, respectively, of a cylinder and piston forming a part of said invention. Fig. V represents a cross-sectional view of a three-way valvel employed in connection with our said invention.

Upon the upper side of the dipper-arm and intermediately of its ends is secured a cylinder A, in which is located a movable piston A', Fig. III, to which is attached a piston-rod co. In each end of the cylinder intermediately of the piston and such ends is located a spring a and a2, which serves to take up the motion of the piston at the ends of its stroke and prevent injury to the mechanism by reason of impact of the piston which would otherwise occur. The rear end of said cylinder is provided with a relief-opening a3, to which is attached an L-nipple a4, whose outer end is covered with ascreen a5 for preventing the ingress of extraneous substances.

A port a6, Fig. IV, is formed in the front of the cylinder, to which is attached a pipe 0,7, which in turn connects with a flexible conduit as. The other end of the conduit connects with a supply-pipe a9, secured to the frame F, which communicates with an aircompressor in theengine-house. In this pipe and in close proximity to the levers B, which control the movements of the dipper-arm, is a three-way valve am, provided with a suitable handle, whereby the compressed air may be admitted into the cylinder in front of the piston or the compressed air already in the cylinder may be exhausted therefrom.

The forward end of the piston-rod is connected with the tripping-lever C by means of a flexible connection, such as a chain D, the length of such chain being such as is required to operate lever C to trip when the piston is actuated to move to the rear end of the cylinder.

The dipper-arm consists in that form of steam-shovel to which our invention is illustrated as being applied of an outer tubular portion E and an inner slidable and rotatable stem E', to the outer end of which the dipper is secured. This stem is provided with annular recesses e,into which clamp-bolts e project to prevent longitudinal movement, butv which permit a movement about the -axis of the dipper-arm. Such axial movement is necessary in the operation of this type of steamshovel in order to allow the dipper to assume an angulaiposition when it meets with unusual resistance. The iiexible chain D hence offers n'o obstacle to such axial movement, and the dipper may be given substantially any desired angular position without rendering the cylinder and piston inoperative.

In operating the above-described mechanism the dipper-arm is manipulated by the operator by means of the levers B, the tripping mechanism being set so as to lock the gate in the dipper-bottom. Such tripping mechanism forms no part of our present invention and may be of any desired construction which is caused to lock by gravity, such construction being well known vto those skilled in the art. The iiexible conduit permits the movement of the dipper-arm to take place without disturbing the connection of the cylinder with the source of compressed air and supply-pipe. Vhen the dipper reaches its required position, the air is admitted by the operator controlling the dipper-arm in front of the piston and the latter moved thereby toward the back of the cylinder, such movement being accompanied by the actuation of the tripping mechanism and the consequent discharge of the contents of the dipper. The three-way valve beingin close proximity to the operator, the manipulation of said valve may be effected by him without interfering with his manipulation of the levers B. To further facilitate this operation, we provide a weight W,which is secured to the end of the handle of the valve, Fig. I, and maintains the valve in a position in which the cylinder is exhausting. A rope R is secured to the handle, passes up over a pulley P, falls in a loop, and has its ends securedto a convenient point p. By merely grasping and pulling the loop the valve is turned so as to admit airinto the cylinder and by releasing it the air is exhausted. After the dumping operation the valve is so turned as to permit the compressed air to be exhausted from the cylinder. The dipper and dipperarm being subsequently lowered for its next load, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. I, the piston reassumes its orignal position, thereby slackening the chain and permitting the tripping mechanism to relock the dipper-gate.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead 0f IOO the one explained, change being made as rei gards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any one of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

We therefore particularly point out an d distinctly claim as our inventionl. In a steam-shovel, the combination of a dipper, a movable dipper-arm, tripping mechanism for controlling the discharge of the dipper7 and means mounted upon such arm for operating such mechanism.

2. Ina steam-shovel, the combination of a dipper, amovable dipper-arm, tripping mechanism for controlling the discharge of the dipper, and a motor cylinder and piston mounted upon such arm connected with and adapted to operate said mechanism.

3. In a steam-shovel, the combination of a dipper, a movable dipper-arm, tripping mechanism for .controlling the discharge of the dipper, a motor cylinder and piston mounted upon said arm connected with and adapted to operate said mechanism, and a flexible pneumatic conduit intermediate of said cylinder and the shovel-frame.

4. In a steam-shovel, the combination of a dipper, a movable dipper-arm having said dip- IIO peil secured thereto so as to be movable sub- Signed by us this 22d day of January, 1902. stantially about the axis of said arm, a motor cylinder and piston mounted upon the latter,

tripping mechanism for controlling the discharge of the dipper, and a flexible connee- Attest: tion intermediate of said cylinder and piston, A. E. MERKEL, and said tripping mechanism. l D. T. DAVIES.

HARRY T. PORTER. GEO. H. BEAUMONT. 

